Comments on: When a Number is Not Just a Numberhttp://knuckleballsblog.com/2012/02/01/when-a-number-is-not-just-a-number/
"like butterflies with hiccups"Thu, 31 Aug 2017 20:54:29 +0000hourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.8.2By: frightwighttp://knuckleballsblog.com/2012/02/01/when-a-number-is-not-just-a-number/#comment-11781
Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:19:10 +0000http://knuckleballsblog.com/?p=10642#comment-11781I think Valencia and Beth have the right idea: look at the old jersey as a retro throwback, proof that you’ve liked your guy from the start. Jersey numbers become outdated all the time, anyway, just from roster turnover. Does Michael Cuddyer owe fans and vendors any money because he opted to turn in his Twins #5 this offseason? Should the Twins have to send out jersey refunds when the club trades or releases a popular player?

If you think an outdated replica jersey becomes worthless, don’t buy one in the first place. Buy a cap or a t-shirt, or get a jersey without a name on the back, or pick your favorite number and put your own name there, like Batgirl did.

]]>By: thisisbethhttp://knuckleballsblog.com/2012/02/01/when-a-number-is-not-just-a-number/#comment-11776
Thu, 02 Feb 2012 04:05:38 +0000http://knuckleballsblog.com/?p=10642#comment-11776My sister has a #27 Morneau jersey she wears with pride. She liked him enough to buy his t-shirt before he was an all-star. The only time this gets annoying is if you bought a throwback jersey–which don’t have names. How does one know if you have a 25 Casilla or Thome? A 22 Bradke, Gomez, or Valencia? (Granted, these examples don’t work particularly well since Casilla never wore a 25 throwback, and Bradke and Gomez never wore the throwbacks–as far as I remember.) So my only argument is that ALL players should wear their name on their back. I don’t care if you’re going retro, or an “Everyone should know who we are” Yankee. People buy jerseys now. Some people want to be associated with a particular player, and the number doesn’t tell enough of the story. (Back in the day, no one bought jerseys, so it didn’t matter as much that names weren’t on the back.)

So, wear your Retro #19 Valencia with pride. You have proof you liked him from the start when he becomes a perennial all-star. And now the onus is on him to become one.

(I’m accepting of Valencia wearing #22. Gomez already took it. I’d be really annoyed if another pitcher took #22, though. Random: I noticed at TwinsFest, sitting in the stands, the guy two rows in front of me had on a grey Bradke jersey. The guy the row in front of me had on a red Bradke jersey. I had on the blue Bradke jersey. No one is going to forget Bradke wore 22 for a long time.)

]]>By: Jim Crikkethttp://knuckleballsblog.com/2012/02/01/when-a-number-is-not-just-a-number/#comment-11775
Thu, 02 Feb 2012 03:20:40 +0000http://knuckleballsblog.com/?p=10642#comment-11775I think, like most fans, you are able to understand the difference between a mid-season call-up like Neshek getting issued a #72 upon arrival and then switching to a lower number… well before stores get stocked with the old number… and a player who’s jerseys have been on the shelves for a couple of years changing for no reason.

Similarly, Casilla changed in order to relinquish his number to a future Hall of Famer (Jim Thome).

Tom Kelly? Seriously? How many of his jerseys do you suppose were sold (or even printed) in 1986?

]]>By: thrylos98http://knuckleballsblog.com/2012/02/01/when-a-number-is-not-just-a-number/#comment-11774
Thu, 02 Feb 2012 03:12:03 +0000http://knuckleballsblog.com/?p=10642#comment-11774Changing jersey numbers in sports is a common occurence. I have zero issues with any players changing numbers (and I do have a bunch of jerseys.) Here are some notable Twins who have changed numbers:

Tom Kelly from 41 to 10: 1987
Scott Erickson from 46 to 19 in 2001
Pat Neshek from 72 to 17 in 2006
Jason Kubel from 1 to 16 in 2006
Justin Morneau from 27 to 33 in 2006
Glen Perkins from 60 to 15 in 2008
Alexi Casilla from 25 to 12 in 2010

should we throw them to the fire too?

]]>By: Jim Crikkethttp://knuckleballsblog.com/2012/02/01/when-a-number-is-not-just-a-number/#comment-11773
Thu, 02 Feb 2012 03:11:25 +0000http://knuckleballsblog.com/?p=10642#comment-11773Good for you, k-bro. I hope those are the only #22 jerseys to be seen anywhere in or near Target Field.
]]>By: k-brohttp://knuckleballsblog.com/2012/02/01/when-a-number-is-not-just-a-number/#comment-11772
Thu, 02 Feb 2012 03:08:08 +0000http://knuckleballsblog.com/?p=10642#comment-11772Great piece, Jim.

I will, however, proudly wear my #22 jersey at Target Field — the one with Radke on the back. He earned my loyalty by showing his loyalty.